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FUNAI Don’s Book Ranks One of the Best Sellers in African History

A book written by an academic staff of the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Dr. Arua Oko Omaka has been listed by the Library Journal Review as one of the twenty best sellers in African history.

In a release by the world-acclaimed journal on April 27, 2017, it noted that the book was a clear outstanding contribution to knowledge and understanding on a topic of ongoing importance.

The literary work, “The Biafran Humanitarian Crisis, 1967 – 1970: International Human Rights and Joint Church Aid” published by the Fairleigh Dickinson University Press has continued to elicit warm reception within the global academic community since it hit the book shelves.

Dr. Arua Oko Omaka in his office at the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI)

In a congratulatory letter dated May 11, 2017 from the Director of Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, Harry Keyishian, the publisher extolled Dr. Omaka for the warm reception his book has received among global scholars.

Meanwhile some notable global scholars have hailed the impact of the book on the world of knowledge. John Weaver, a Member of the Royal Society of Canada and distinguished Professor of History at McMaster University noted that Dr. Omaka has broken new ground with his blending of archival sources in several countries and his interviews, adding that the scholarship was admirable and the narrative compelling.

Buttressing the importance of the book on African history, Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, a professor of History and Global Human Rights at McMaster University said: “The book marks an important contribution to modern African history and the broader scholarship on armed conflicts and international humanitarianism.”

Also, commenting on the book, Dr. Raphael Chijioke Njoku, a professor of African History at Idaho State University, wrote, “The book is a powerful contribution to the historical scholarship on culture and global humanitarian intervention in a political conflict”, stressing that Dr. Omaka showed his intellectual depth and social vision in treating such a sensitive subject with fairness and wisdom.

This rare academic feat by a FUNAI scholar is a welcome development taking into cognizance the struggle by many Nigerian Universities and scholars for global recognition and acceptance.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, therefore expresses his gratitude to the emerging international scholar, Dr. Omaka, for putting the name of the University on the world map through his world-acclaimed scholarly work while also challenging other academics to increase the tempo and quality of their research output in order to win international recognition.